CHAPTER 1. WHAT IS CONCUSSION?
Headache or a feeling of
pressure in the head
Confusion or difficulty
concentrating
Dizziness
Changes in vision
(e.g. ‘seeing stars’)
Ringing in the ears
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Sensitivity to light
Loss of smell or taste
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS
OF CONCUSSION?
Confusion and inability
to speak coherently
Disorientation
(e.g. unaware of time and place)
Lack of co-ordination
(e.g. stumbling, inability to walk in a
straight line)
Loss of memory
(e.g. about the causative event)
Slurred speech
Delayed response to questions
Appearing dazed or with a
vacant stare
Inappropriate emotion
(e.g. crying for no reason)
Any temporary loss of
consciousness
DOCTORS LOOK FOR THE
FOLLOWING SIGNS IN SOMEONE
SUSPECTED OF SUFFERING
FROM CONCUSSION:
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUSTAINED
A CONCUSSION MAY ALSO
REPORT THE FOLLOWING
SYMPTOMS:
Many people who sustain a concussion have no observable signs, which
can make diagnosis difficult. Recognising the condition often depends
on the affected person reporting the symptoms they are experiencing.
These can occur either immediately after the head injury or minutes to
hours later.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF POST-CONCUSSION
SYNDROME
PROBLEMS WITH
MEMORY & LEARNING
BALANCE & STABILITY
PROBLEMS
DIFFICULTY SLEEPING
OR STAYING ASLEEP
DOUBLE OR BLURRY
VISION, SENSITIVITY
TO LIGHT
DIFFICULTY
CONCENTRATING
FATIGUE & WEAKNESS
DIZZINESS &
HEADACHES
DEPRESSION